Purchasing new Cantilever Brakes any positive opinions or suggestions?

I am purchasing new cantilever brakes and want to hear any positive opinions or comments on the choices below.  Any other Brand or Model choices welcome!

 

TRP Eurox

Avid Shorty Ultimate

Paul Touring

Paul Neo Retro

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Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on May 24, 2010 at 10:08pm
In the end I don't think it makes a lot of difference. It is important to make sure you don't need any special tools to adjust and install them. I have a set of Suntour XC's from the early nineties - they're a sweet non tarnishing gold alloy but I need a special wrench to adjust tension.
Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on May 24, 2010 at 10:09pm
Permalink Reply by Lee Diamond on May 25, 2010 at 1:13am
Tektro Onyx. Very reasonably priced, bullet-proof and light. I use these on all cantilever bikes we build after trying offerings from Shimano, Cane Creek, Avid and at least a couple of others. They out-perform brakes that cost twice as much as they do. Highly recommended.
Permalink Reply by J on May 25, 2010 at 4:02am
It looks as if you're interested mainly in higher end cantis.

One kind not insignificant factor in among the ones you've listed is they vary widely in their design. So not only do they look very different from one another, but they actually function differently as well. I would make the decision based on what frame you intend on running and for what application(s).

The Paul's are essentially Mafac clones and are generally used together (with the Neo Retro in front). These are the most difficult to set up of the bunch and ship with kind of crummy pads. The issue to consider is that the both (but especially the Neo Retro) have such extreme leverage that they will actually flex frames and cause severe shudder on some forks. But they are beautiful and simple. Tektro makes decent (though notably, much softer) copies of both.

The TRP represents the most popular form factor (froglegs) among cyclocross racers. Light weight, with excellent modulation and stiffness -- these are low profile brakes that you won't catch when you are dismounting. Very difficult to install and tune. There are many clones available now. Most folks toss the stock pads and install the new pivoting pads for toe in, else they squeal like crazy. The look is considered very Euro.

The Avid is simply the top end of the Shorty line. This is an interesting hybrid canti that uses shorter road pads instead of conventional brake pads. Very easy to install and toe in. Some folks don't like the look, but they look to be the most popular aftermarket setup this season, at least amongst cross folks.

If I'm choosing:

Paul's -- Touring or rando bike or steel cross bike with steel fork.
TRP/Froglegs -- Racing cross bike, ideally something like an Empella, Ridley, Colnago
Avid Shorties -- Everything else
Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on May 25, 2010 at 4:45am
J is right about all that stuff.

Besides style and bling, I'd say that your set-up will impact the performance the most. Correct housing treatment, straddle cable length, pad selection, pad clearance, and toe-in will make a bigger difference that the amount of money you spend. It's pretty complicated, and can be really frustrating, especially when dealing with fork chatter. My favorite pair of cantis have been vintage XT with koolstop pads.

Yokozuna compressionless brake housing can make any pair of cantis awesome, i highly recommend it.
Permalink Reply by Seri97 on May 25, 2010 at 5:44am
Plan to use the bike for commuting and touring (will not leave bike unattended)

Bike Build:
Lynskey titanium Cooper CX cross frame with fender and rack mounts
Easton ec90x carbon fork with fender mounts
Sram Force groupo with clamp on derailer and gxp bottom bracket
DT Swiss custom built wheels www.youngwheels.com
Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on May 25, 2010 at 5:55am
Wow that sounds nice. I think that the avids work best with that sort of build. And if you'll be carrying panniers, something low profile will be less likely to snag.
Permalink Reply by Michael A on May 25, 2010 at 12:09pm
I have a set of Shimano BR-R550 I would sell cheap, they were new part take off on my cross bike, I put TRP's on it, make me an offer

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